T-Mobile and Western Governors University Work to Keep College Students Connected
April 29 2021 - 9:06AM
Business Wire
What’s the news: The Un-carrier takes another step
forward to help equalize access to higher education through a
partnership with the nation’s largest nonprofit online university,
Western Governors University (WGU) to help students in need gain
online access through a unique scholarship program.
Why it matters: College and university students depend on
reliable internet connectivity to complete their studies, however
many communities — both urban and rural — lack affordable internet
options. T-Mobile is working hand in hand with WGU to provide
resources aimed at ensuring greater access and equity for higher
education students, so that every student has a path to
opportunity.
Who it’s for: Higher education students and everyone who
is rooting and working for an equitable future.
T-Mobile (NASDAQ: TMUS) has committed to leveling the playing
field for students in need. Today, the Un-carrier is taking that
commitment a step further by partnering with Western Governors
University (WGU), the nation’s largest nonprofit online university,
to provide wireless connectivity to help students pursue higher
education.
T-Mobile and WGU are providing up to 2,000 WGU students with a
free hotspot and wireless connectivity on T-Mobile’s nationwide
network through WGU’s Online Access Scholarship, available across
the country. COVID-19 shined a light on the digital divide in
higher education like never before, and through WGU’s initiative,
the university is tackling this challenge to create more equitable
access to online higher education opportunities.
“We are proud to team up with Western Governors University to
help break down the barriers to access higher education,” said Mike
Katz, EVP, T-Mobile for Business. “T-Mobile’s network — America’s
largest, fastest, most reliable 5G — and incredible team dedicated
to helping higher education institutions is why we can support
schools like WGU, so they can do what they do best — teach the
workforce of tomorrow.”
A recent Ed Trust-West study found that in California alone,
102,000 college students from lower income households (14%) and
145,000 college students of color (13%) may lack internet access.
Also, 109,000 students from lower income households (15%) and
134,000 students of color (12%) may lack access to a device to
engage in distance learning. The disparities are more pronounced
with rural and urban populations than in suburban areas, where
reliable broadband access is more publicly available.
“If there is one way to dramatically democratize access to
education, and thus, access to opportunity—it is to ensure that
every household in America has access to highspeed internet,” said
WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “WGU and T-Mobile share the same
vision—to close the digital divide. Our combined efforts with
T-Mobile helped double the number of students receiving wireless
connectivity allowing many more individuals to change their lives
for the better through education.”
Online education has transformed the way students connect to the
classroom. Last September, T-Mobile officially launched Project
10Million, an unprecedented $10.7B initiative aimed at delivering
internet connectivity to millions of underserved K-12 student
households at no cost to them. The program offers free wireless
hotspots, free high-speed data and access to laptops and tablets,
at-cost. Since the start of the pandemic, T-Mobile has connected
more than 2.5 million students across the country with free or
highly-subsidized service, including hundreds of thousands of
Project 10Million participants.
T-Mobile is committed to providing K-12 school districts,
colleges and universities with reliable internet access, the latest
devices and innovative solutions that help create opportunities for
students and transform the way educators teach.
For more information on T-Mobile initiatives for colleges and
universities, visit
https://www.t-mobile.com/business/education/higher-education.
Follow T-Mobile’s Official Twitter Newsroom @TMobileNews to stay
up to date with the latest company news.
During congestion, heavy data users (>50GB/mo. for most
plans) and customers choosing lower-prioritized plans may notice
lower speeds than other customers; see plan for details. 5G:
Fastest based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data
5G median download speeds for Q1 2021. Ookla trademarks used under
license and reprinted with permission. Capable device required
& coverage not available in some areas. Some uses may require
certain plan or feature; see T-Mobile.com. Most reliable according
to an audit report conducted by independent third party umlaut
containing crowdsourced data for user experience collected from
September 2020 until February 2021. Full details at:
www.umlaut.com/en/benchmarking/USA.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile U.S. Inc. (NASDAQ: TMUS) is America’s supercharged
Un-carrier, delivering an advanced 4G LTE and transformative
nationwide 5G network that will offer reliable connectivity for
all. T-Mobile’s customers benefit from its unmatched combination of
value and quality, unwavering obsession with offering them the best
possible service experience and undisputable drive for disruption
that creates competition and innovation in wireless and beyond.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile provides services through its
subsidiaries and operates its flagship brands, T-Mobile, Metro by
T-Mobile and Sprint. For more information please visit:
https://www.t-mobile.com.
About WGU
Established in 1997 by 19 U.S. governors with a mission to
expand access to high-quality, affordable higher education, online,
nonprofit WGU now serves more than 131,000 students nationwide and
has more than 218,000 graduates in all 50 states. Driving
innovation as the nation’s leading competency-based university, WGU
has been recognized by the White House, state leaders, employers,
and students as a model that works in postsecondary education. In
just 24 years, the university has become a leading influence in
changing the lives of individuals and families, and preparing the
workforce needed in today’s rapidly evolving economy. WGU is
accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and
Universities, has been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative
Companies, and has been featured on NPR, NBC Nightly News, CNN, and
in The New York Times. Learn more at wgu.edu.
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